It’s no secret: throwing a snag on the barbie isn’t the best way to improve our health.
Last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified processed meats, such as sausages, as carcinogenic. And just last month, a study published in the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases revealed that the consumption of foods laden with saturated fat and cholesterol – such as meat, dairy foods, and eggs – makes prostate cancer more aggressive.
When we heard that the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia was running a Big Aussie Barbie campaign, we wanted to put a proposal on the table – or rather the grill – for a refreshing change to the meaty fundraiser.
In PETA’s letter to the Foundation’s CEO, there was a potentially life-saving request: change the name of the Big Aussie Barbie campaign to the Big Aussie Vegan Barbie.
“[H]anding out sausages at a fundraiser for prostate cancer makes about as much sense as selling cigarettes to help cure lung cancer”, wrote PETA Australia Associate Director of Campaigns Ashley Fruno.
According to the Cancer Council, around one-third of cancer cases in Australia each year – that’s 37,000 cases – could be prevented through lifestyle change. Of those, at least 7,000 could be directly attributed to low fruit and vegetable intake, low fibre intake, and excess consumption of red meat.
The WHO has classified processed meats as a carcinogen in the same category as cigarettes, so the best option is to ditch the flesh and choose a healthier alternative. November is World Vegan Month, so what better time than now for the Prostate Cancer Foundation to mandate that its fundraising events be meat-free?
Thankfully, there are many meat-free alternatives you can throw on the barbie that are delicious and healthy! Vegan sausages, burgers, and bacon have all the flavour of their fleshy counterparts with none of the cholesterol or cruelty to animals.
PETA has offered to donate vegan sausages to fundraising barbecues throughout November if the Prostate Cancer Foundation makes the switch.
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